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UK Prime Minister Theresa May announces intention to hold general election

theguardian.com

21–30 of 336 posts

Re: UK Prime Minister Theresa May announces intention to hold general election

#21
post #5

May's reasoning is basically that there is an opposition now, and that there should not be. The thought of indefinite unopposed Tory rule is sickening.

The majority of the English like strong, essentially unopposed governance. They like be to be able to choose the g'vner occasionally, but they don't want multiple powerful factions.

Re: UK Prime Minister Theresa May announces intention to hold general election

#22

I knew I should have put a bet on this, we were never going to leave Europe. Which ever parties manifesto says stay in Europe will win - end of story.

Well the LibDems are going to say that but they are not going to win. The other two parties aren't - Labour is going split in half. The Tories might see defections, but will stay together and press ahead with Brexit in the hope of a massive majority.

Agreed, I think Tim Farron was right on point strategy-wise to come out and immediately, unequivocally say that a vote for the Lib Dems is a vote to stay in.

It's just not going to sway nearly enough people to win a majority, and the Tories know that.

Re: UK Prime Minister Theresa May announces intention to hold general election

#23

Actually this is just good business for the Tories, and I've long expected it. The opposition is in disarray under Corbyn, and our prime minister has never won an election. This is as easy a victory as Theresa May will ever be able to bank on, and legitimises her leadership in the eyes of a large section of the public. She can also claim (maybe rightly so) that she has the undisputed majority support of the public fo…

Indeed, she is shoring up the Tory vote in the commons. At the moment they have a thin majority and just a small number of backbenchers can run amok to prevent or derail government / ministerial law making agenda.

Most people will see this as the party political move that it is. Tory voters will love this, other parties much less so.

As an aside, Northern Ireland will probably join in and have another assembly election on the same date. I wonder if Scotland will join in too?

Re: UK Prime Minister Theresa May announces intention to hold general election

#24

I knew I should have put a bet on this, we were never going to leave Europe. Which ever parties manifesto says stay in Europe will win - end of story.

I'm afraid that's wishful thinking - there is no opposition to the Conservatives right now other than the SNP. Short of a miracle, May's majority will increase.

Re: UK Prime Minister Theresa May announces intention to hold general election

#25
post #15

I knew I should have put a bet on this, we were never going to leave Europe. Which ever parties manifesto says stay in Europe will win - end of story.

Constituencies overwhelmingly voted to leave though.

Yeah, the geography of the Leave/Remain vote is naturally gerrymandered in favour of Leave to a breathtaking extent.

To be clear, I don't think anything nefarious was done to engineer this, but it's a hugely distorting effect on national politics RN.

Re: UK Prime Minister Theresa May announces intention to hold general election

#26
post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'll lay odds that Scotland at least will not be giving that mandate. Currently the Conservaties have 1 out of 59 MPs in Westminster from north of the border. Of course, that's irrelevant as the Tories can simply continue to completely ignore Scotland.

And Northern Ireland. We're still here too. .. Not that you'd know as you never call or write anymore. :'-(

How likely do you think the unification of Ireland is now and after brexit if a hard border is imposed? Has sentiment shifted in that debate?

Re: UK Prime Minister Theresa May announces intention to hold general election

#28

Actually this is just good business for the Tories, and I've long expected it. The opposition is in disarray under Corbyn, and our prime minister has never won an election. This is as easy a victory as Theresa May will ever be able to bank on, and legitimises her leadership in the eyes of a large section of the public. She can also claim (maybe rightly so) that she has the undisputed majority support of the public fo…

I wonder (I'm not from UK), is there really zero chance of someone from Labour to challenge Corbyn (someone more moderate/center leaning) and rally the pro-EU voters ?

Re: UK Prime Minister Theresa May announces intention to hold general election

#29

Actually this is just good business for the Tories, and I've long expected it. The opposition is in disarray under Corbyn, and our prime minister has never won an election. This is as easy a victory as Theresa May will ever be able to bank on, and legitimises her leadership in the eyes of a large section of the public. She can also claim (maybe rightly so) that she has the undisputed majority support of the public fo…

Indeed, she is shoring up the Tory vote in the commons. At the moment they have a thin majority and just a small number of backbenchers can run amok to prevent or derail government / ministerial law making agenda. Most people will see this as the party political move that it is. Tory voters will love this, other parties much less so. As an aside, Northern Ireland will probably join in and have another assembly electi…

Have you seen how much it rains here?

If I'm going out to vote in another assembly election I expect at LEAST a full five-piece with a free coffee on arrival.

... Alright I'll go. Again. Because I'm a mug.

Re: UK Prime Minister Theresa May announces intention to hold general election

#30

PM Theresa May on her reasoning for the snap election: "In recent weeks Labour have threatened to vote against the final agreement we reach with the European Union. "The Liberal Democrats said they want to grind the business of government to a standstill. "The Scottish National Party say they will vote against the legislation that formally repeals Britain's membership of the European Union. "And un-elected members of…

Calling an election is dark and scary times?
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